Image forming apparatus and image forming system for restricting display information from being displayed during remote control

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus includes a communication interface, a display, and a controller configured to, when the image forming apparatus is remotely connected with an information processing device via the communication interface, transmit, to the information processing device, screen data for causing the information processing device to display a same screen as a display screen being displayed on the display, when receiving remote access from the information processing device, perform display processing for the display screen in accordance with the remote access, and when the remote access is received while a particular screen is being displayed as the display screen on the display, impose a display restriction on the display screen.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/193,574, filed on Mar. 5, 2021, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-062349 filed on Mar. 31,2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND ART Technical Field

Aspects of the present disclosure are related to an image formingapparatus and an image forming system for restricting displayinformation from being displayed during remote control of the imageforming apparatus.

Related Art

An information processing system has been known that is configured toprevent a user of an image processing apparatus from viewing informationthat the user is not authorized to access, when the authority of theimage processing apparatus has been changed during remote control of theimage processing apparatus. Further, as a specific method for preventingthe user from viewing such information that the user is not authorizedto view, a technology has been known in which a UI display of the imageprocessing apparatus is blacked out, or display information of an itemthat is not allowed to be displayed is put in a non-display state orequivalent.

DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

However, the known information processing system does not meet a requestfor restricting display information from being displayed when aparticular screen is being displayed.

Aspects of the present disclosure are advantageous to provide one ormore improved techniques that make it possible to restrict displayinformation from being displayed when a particular screen is beingdisplayed.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, an image formingapparatus is provided, which includes a communication interface, adisplay, and a controller. The controller is configured to, when theimage forming apparatus is remotely connected with an informationprocessing device via the communication interface, transmit, to theinformation processing device, screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display a same screen as a display screen beingdisplayed on the display, when receiving remote access from theinformation processing device, perform display processing for thedisplay screen in accordance with the remote access, and when the remoteaccess is received while a particular screen is being displayed as thedisplay screen on the display, impose a display restriction on thedisplay screen.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, further provided is animage forming apparatus that includes a communication interface, adisplay, and a controller. The controller is configured to, when theimage forming apparatus is remotely connected with an informationprocessing device via the communication interface, transmit, to theinformation processing device, screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display a same screen as a display screen beingdisplayed on the display, when receiving remote access from theinformation processing device, perform display processing for thedisplay screen in accordance with the remote access, when the imageforming apparatus is not remotely connected with the informationprocessing device via the communication interface, control the displayto display a first screen that is a particular screen, and when theimage forming apparatus is remotely connected with the informationprocessing device via the communication interface, control the displayto display a second screen instead of the first screen, the secondscreen being displayed in a display mode different from a display modefor the first screen.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, further provided is animage forming system that includes an image forming apparatus, and aninformation processing device configured to remotely access the imageforming apparatus. The information processing device includes a firstcommunication interface, a first display, and a first controller. Thefirst controller is configured to, when the information processingdevice is remotely connected with the image forming apparatus via thefirst communication interface, transmit, to the image forming apparatus,a request for screen data for causing the first display to display asame screen as a display screen being displayed on the image formingapparatus, receive the screen data transmitted by the image formingapparatus in response to the request, control the first display todisplay the same screen as the display screen being displayed on theimage forming apparatus, and transmit, to the image forming apparatus,remote access according to an input operation performed to the samescreen on the first display as the display screen. The image formingapparatus includes a second communication interface, a second display,and a second controller. The second controller is configured to, whenthe image forming apparatus is remotely connected with the informationprocessing device via the second communication interface, receive therequest from the information processing device, transmit, to theinformation processing device, the screen data for causing the firstdisplay of the information processing device to display the same screenas the display screen being displayed on the second display, receive theremote access from the information processing device, perform displayprocessing for the display screen in accordance with the remote access,and when the remote access is received while a particular screen isbeing displayed as the display screen on the second display, impose adisplay restriction on the display screen.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, further provided is animage forming system that includes an image forming apparatus, and aninformation processing device configured to remotely access the imageforming apparatus. The information processing device includes a firstcommunication interface, a first display, and a first controller. Thefirst controller is configured to, when the information processingdevice is remotely connected with the image forming apparatus via thefirst communication interface, transmit, to the image forming apparatus,a request for screen data for causing the first display to display asame screen as a display screen being displayed on the image formingapparatus, receive the screen data transmitted by the image formingapparatus in response to the request, control the first display todisplay the same screen as the display screen being displayed on theimage forming apparatus, and transmit, to the image forming apparatus,remote access according to an input operation performed to the samescreen on the first display as the display screen. The image formingapparatus includes a second communication interface, a second display,and a second controller. The second controller is configured to, whenthe image forming apparatus is remotely connected with the informationprocessing device via the second communication interface, receive therequest from the information processing device, and transmit, to theinformation processing device, screen data for causing the first displayof the information processing device to display the same screen as thedisplay screen being displayed on the second display, when receiving theremote access from the information processing device, perform displayprocessing for the display screen in accordance with the remote access,when the image forming apparatus is not remotely connected with theinformation processing device via the second communication interface,control the second display to display a first screen that is aparticular screen, and when the image forming apparatus is remotelyconnected with the information processing device via the secondcommunication interface, control the second display to display a secondscreen instead of the first screen, the second screen being displayed ina display mode different from a display mode for the first screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of an imageforming system including a PC and an MFP, in a first illustrativeembodiment according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show examples of a display screen on a browser executedon the PC, in the first illustrative embodiment according to one or moreaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2C shows an example of a display screen on a panel of the MFP, inthe first illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3A shows an example of a “Remote Panel” after a transition from thedisplay screen on the browser as shown in FIG. 2B, in the firstillustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3B shows an example of the “Remote Panel” for authentication toshift the MFP to a maintenance mode, in the first illustrativeembodiment according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a main process to beperformed by a CPU of the PC, in the first illustrative embodimentaccording to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a remote control screendisplay process included in the main process shown in FIG. 4 , in thefirst illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a screen update processincluded in the main process shown in FIG. 4 , in the first illustrativeembodiment according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an http(s)cgi requestexecution process included in the main process shown in FIG. 4 , in thefirst illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts showing a procedure of a main process tobe performed by a CPU of the MFP, in the first illustrative embodimentaccording to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a main body panel processincluded in the main process shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, in the firstillustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an initial screentransmission process included in the main process shown in FIGS. 8A and8B, in the first illustrative embodiment according to one or moreaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a screen data transmissionprocess included in the main process shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, in thefirst illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a screen pressing processincluded in the main process shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, in the firstillustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are flowcharts showing a procedure of a releaseprocess included in the main process shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, in thefirst illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 14A shows an example of a display screen on the browser executed onthe PC, in a second illustrative embodiment according to one or moreaspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 14B and 14C show examples of a display screen on the panel of theMFP, in the second illustrative embodiment according to one or moreaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a screen pressing processincluded in the main process to be performed by the CPU of the MFP, inthe second illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are flowcharts showing a procedure of a releaseprocess included in the main process to be performed by the CPU of theMFP, in the second illustrative embodiment according to one or moreaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a main process to beperformed by the CPU of the PC, in a third illustrative embodimentaccording to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a main process to beperformed by the CPU of the MFP, in the third illustrative embodimentaccording to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an initial screentransmission process included in the main process shown in FIG. 18 , inthe third illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are flowcharts showing a procedure of a releaseprocess included in the main process shown in FIG. 18 , in the thirdillustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements inthe following description. It is noted that these connections in generaland, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that thisspecification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. Aspects ofthe present disclosure may be implemented on circuits (such asapplication specific integrated circuits) or in computer software asprograms storable on computer-readable media including but not limitedto RAMs, ROMs, flash memories, EEPROMs, CD-media, DVD-media, temporarystorage, hard disk drives, floppy drives, permanent storage, and thelike.

Hereinafter, illustrative embodiments according to aspects of thepresent disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

First Illustrative Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of an imageforming system 1 in a first illustrative embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 includes a PC 10, an MFP (“MFP” is anabbreviation for “Multi-Function Peripheral”) 100 and a router 32.

The PC 10 includes a CPU 12, a storage 14, a user I/F (“I/F” is anabbreviation for “interface”) 16, a display 18, and a network I/F 20.The CPU 12, the storage 14, the user I/F 16, the display 18, and thenetwork I/F 20 are communicably interconnected via an I/0 (“I/O” is anabbreviation for “input-output”) port 22.

Typically, the user I/F 16 may include a keyboard and a mouse.

The display 18 includes a display device such as a liquid crystaldisplay or an organic electroluminescence display, and a drive circuitfor driving the display device. When a touch panel type display is usedas the display 18, a user is allowed to perform input operations bytouching input buttons on a screen of the display 18. Therefore, in thiscase, the display 18 also serves as the user IF 16.

The CPU 12 is configured to execute various application programs(hereinafter, which may be simply referred to as “applications”)including a program for a main process that will be described below withreference to FIG. 4 , and execute firmware.

The storage 14 includes a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, an SSD and an optical diskdrive. The storage 14 has a data storage area 28 and a control programarea 26. The data storage area 28 is an area for storing data necessaryfor the CPU 12 to execute applications such as the program for the mainprocess. The control program area 26 is an area for storing an OS, theprogram for the main process, various other applications, and thefirmware.

The network I/F 20 is configured to connect the PC 10 with acommunication network 40. The communication network 40 may be a wiredLAN or a wireless LAN. The network I/F 20 may include one or both of aLAN I/F and a WLAN I/F. In the first illustrative embodiment, thecommunication network 40 is connected with the router 32 and the MFP100. Therefore, the PC 10 is enabled to communicate various types ofdata with the MFP 100 via the router 32.

The MFP 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, and an NVM (“NVM”is an abbreviation for “Non-Volatile Memory”) 104.

The CPU 101 is configured to control the entire MFP 100. Specifically,for instance, the CPU 101 controls a print engine 111 and a scan engine112 via an engine I/F 110.

The ROM 102 is configured to store control programs 102 a (including aprogram for a main process that will be described below with referenceto FIGS. 8A and 8B) to be executed by the CPU 101. The CPU 101 reads outthe control programs 102 a stored in the ROM 102 and executes variousprocesses. The RAM 103 is configured to temporarily store various typesof data such as image data. The RAM 103 is also used as a storage areato temporarily store data and signals used when the CPU 101 executes thecontrol programs 102 a, or as a work area for data processing. The NVM104 is a non-volatile memory configured to store various types ofinformation such as setting information.

The MFP 100 further includes a panel 105 and keys 106. In the firstillustrative embodiment, the panel 105 is a touch panel. The panel 105is configured to display thereon various screens depending on states ofthe MFP 100. The user may perform input operations by touching inputbuttons on a screen. In the present disclosure, “touching input buttonson a screen” may also be expressed as “pressing input buttons on ascreen.” The keys 106 are hard keys, i.e., keys formed by hardware. Thekeys 106 may include, but are not limited to, a power switch, a resetswitch, and a numeric.

The MFP 100 further includes a network I/F 108. The network I/F 108 isconfigured in substantially the same manner as the network I/F 20 of thePC 10. Thus, as described above, the MFP 100 is enabled to communicatevarious types of data with the PC 10.

The MFP 100 further includes the engine I/F 110. The engine I/F 110 isconnected with the print engine 111 and the scan engine 112. The printengine 111 is configured to print an image on a sheet. The print engine111 includes a printing device such as an electrophotographic printingdevice, an inkjet printing device or a thermal printing device. The scanengine 112 is configured to scan an image from a document. The scanengine 112 includes an image sensor such as a CCD or a CIS. The engineI/F 110 is an interface configured to control the print engine 111 andthe scan engine 112.

The MFP 100 further includes an image processing circuit 120. The imageprocessing circuit 120 is configured to rasterize image data concerningthe print job and output the rasterized image data to the print engine111. The image processing circuit 120 is further configured to processand convert image data scanned from a document by the scan engine 112into digital data. The digital data obtained by processing the scannedimage data may be transmitted externally via the network I/F 307 or maybe supplied to the print engine 111 and then output as an image printedon a sheet.

The CPU 101, the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the NVM 104, the panel 105, thekeys 106, the USB I/F 107, the network I/F 108, the engine I/F 110 andthe image processing circuit 120 are interconnected via a bus 130.

FIG. 2A shows an example of a browser screen 180 that is displayed onthe display 18 when the user launches a browser on the PC 10 and inputsa URL “10.100.100.1” in a URL entry field 181. The input URL“10.100.100.1” indicates a storage location of an EWS (“EWS” is anabbreviation for “Embedded Web Server”) that is one of the controlprograms 102 a of the MFP 100.

In a page display area 182 of the browser screen 180, pages provided bythe EWS are displayed. Each page provided by the EWS includes an itempane 183 and a detail pane 184. The page shown in FIG. 2A is an initialpage provided by the EWS. When the user enters a password in a loginpassword entry field 182 a on the initial page and clicks a login button182 b with a cursor C, the user is allowed to log in to a functionsetting page provided by the EWS that is for setting various functionsof the MFP 100.

FIG. 2B shows an example of the browser screen 180 that is displayedwhen a “Remote Panel” item 183 a, among a plurality of items listed inthe item pane 183 on the function setting page, is clicked. “RemotePanel” item 183 a is an item for displaying “Remote Panel” in the detailpane 184. In the example of the browser screen 180 shown in FIG. 2B, alogin authentication screen 190 for login authentication to log in tothe “Remote Panel” is displayed in a pop-up manner. The followingprovides a reason why the login authentication is performed beforedisplaying the “Remote Panel.”

The “Remote Panel” is a virtual screen that is virtually generated as ascreen on a panel of a remotely-connected device in order to remotelyaccess the device. Therefore, when an input operation is performed onthe “Remote Panel” displayed in the detail pane 184, substantially thesame input operation is performed on the panel of the remotely accesseddevice. Specifically, in the first illustrative embodiment,substantially the same input operation may be performed on the panel 105of the MFP 100. Thus, by displaying the “Remote Panel” on the PC 10, athird party is allowed to freely and remotely access the MFP 100 fromthe outside via the PC 10. Therefore, it is necessary to restrict usersauthorized to display the “Remote Panel.” For this reason, even afterlogging in to the function setting page, further login authentication isrequired to display the “Remote Panel.”

The users authorized to log in to the “Remote Panel” are limited toadministrators having administrative privileges. Therefore, a user(e.g., an administrator) who attempts to log in to the “Remote Panel” isrequired to input an administrator name (e.g., “Administrator”) in auser name entry field 190 a on the login authentication screen 190 andinput an administrator password in a password entry field 190 b. Then,when the said user clicks a login button 190 c with the cursor C, achecking screen 105 a for checking whether the MFP 100 is allowed to beremotely controlled is displayed on the panel 105 of the MFP 100, asshown in FIG. 2C. When a user of the MFP 100 presses a “Yes” button 105a 1 on the checking screen 105 a, the “Remote Panel” is displayed in thedetail pane 184.

FIG. 3A shows an example of the “Remote Panel” displayed in the detailpane 184. The “Remote Panel” in the illustrated example includes a paneldisplay 105 b that is the same as displayed on the panel 105 of the MFP100 and a key display 105 c that virtually shows the keys 106 of the MFP100. Display data for displaying the “Remote Panel” is obtained from theEWS. As described above, the EWS is software. Therefore, “obtained fromthe EWS” strictly denotes “obtained from the MFP 100 when the CPU 101 ofthe MFP 100 is executing the EWS.” Nonetheless, in the followingdescription as well, “obtained from the MFP 100 when the CPU 101 of theMFP 100 is executing the EWS” may be simply expressed as “obtained fromthe EWS” in an abbreviated manner.

The “Remote Panel” further includes an End button 184 a displayedthereon, which is a button for closing the “Remote Panel.” Theadministrator may terminate the “Remote Panel” by clicking the Endbutton 184 a.

The “Remote Panel” further includes an ON/OFF button 184 c displayedthereon, which is a button for shifting the MFP 100 to a maintenancemode and also for terminating the maintenance mode after the mode shift.The administrator may shift the MFP 100 to the maintenance mode byclicking the ON/OFF button 184 c. However, an authentication is requiredfor shifting the MFP 100 to the maintenance mode, before the MFP 100shifts to the maintenance mode. Therefore, when the ON/OFF button 184 cis clicked on the “Remote Panel” (see FIG. 3A) for a device mode,another “Remote Panel” (see FIG. 3B) for authentication is displayed toperform the authentication to shift the MFP 100 to the maintenance mode.When the authentication is successfully completed on the “Remote Panel”for authentication, the MFP 100 shifts to the maintenance mode.

FIG. 3B shows an example of the “Remote Panel” for authentication toshift the MFP 100 to the maintenance mode. The administrator may enter apassword in a password entry field 105 d 1 in a panel display 105 d, forinstance, using a software keyboard 105 d 2. When the authentication issuccessful, the MFP 100 makes a transition to the maintenance mode, anda “Remote Panel” for the maintenance mode is displayed. The “RemotePanel” for the maintenance mode is almost the same as the “Remote Panel”(see FIG. 3B) for authentication, but is different from the “RemotePanel” for authentication in only that the administrator is allowed toperform operations for maintenance on the “Remote Panel” for themaintenance mode. The password may be entered into the password entryfield 105 d 1 using keys in the key display 105 c.

The maintenance mode is a mode for performing maintenance of the MFP100. Examples of the “maintenance” may include, but are not limited to,investigating causes of failure of the MFP 100, and changing settingvalues for setting items that general users are not allowed to change.The maintenance mode is such a special mode. Hence, furtherauthentication is required before the MFP 100 shifts to the maintenancemode.

When the administrator clicks an indicated object such as an icon (e.g.,a “Fax” icon, a “Copy” icon, etc.) or a button (e.g., a “Basic 1”button, a “Custom 1” button, etc.), in the panel display 105 b on the“Remote Panel” for the device mode, the indicated object is displayed ina display mode (e.g., a display color) changed so as to make itrecognizable that the indicated object has been operated. Likewise, thesame indicated object on the panel 105 of the MFP 100 is also displayedin a changed display mode.

However, when a key of the software keyboard 105 d 2 is clicked on the“Remote Panel” (see FIG. 3B) for authentication, if the clicked key isdisplayed in a changed display mode, the password might be known by athird party, other than the administrator, who is looking at the panel105 of the MFP 100. This is because even if the password being enteredin the password entry field 105 d 1 is hidden by, for instance, “*,” thethird party may know the password by following the change in the displaymode for each of the operated keys.

Therefore, on the “Remote Panel” for authentication, even if thesoftware keyboard 105 d 2 is used, the display mode for each operatedkey is left unchanged. Similarly, on the “Remote Panel” for themaintenance mode as well, when the software keyboard 105 d 2 is used,the display mode for each operated key is left unchanged. The keydisplay 105 c is a virtual display of the keys 106 (i.e., hard keys) ofthe MFP 100. Hence, the display mode for each operated key of the keydisplay 105 c is left unchanged on the “Remote Panel” for the devicemode as well.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a main process to beperformed by the CPU 12 of the PC 10. The main process is performed bythe CPU 12 after the login authentication is performed on the loginauthentication screen 190 shown in FIG. 2B. In the following descriptionof each process, each of steps included in each process will berepresented with “S.”

In the main process shown in FIG. 4 , the CPU 12 first performs a remotecontrol screen display process (S1). The remote control screen is the“Remote Panel” displayed in the detail pane 184. Therefore, the remotecontrol screen display process indicates a process of displaying the“Remote Panel” in the detail pane 184.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed procedure of the remote control screen displayprocess.

In the remote control screen display process shown in FIG. 5 , the CPU12 first transmits an http(s) request for an initial screen (S11). Here,the http(s) request is a request according to an http(s) protocol. Thereason why the request according to the http(s) protocol is transmittedas above is that a transmission destination of the request is the EWS,and therefore it is required to transmit the request according to aprotocol interpretable by the EWS. The http(s) request for the initialscreen is input from the network I/F 20 to the network I/F 108 via thecommunication network 40 and the router 32. Not only transmission of thehttp(s) request for the initial screen, but also data transmission fromthe PC 10 to the MFP 100 is performed through the same route.Conversely, data transmission from the MFP 100 to the PC 10 is performedthrough the reverse route.

Next, CPU 12 receives an http(s) response and virtual screen data sentby the EWS in response to receiving the http(s) request for the initialscreen (S12). The http(s) response and the virtual screen data aregenerated and transmitted in a below-mentioned initial screentransmission process in S46 (see FIG. 8A).

Next, the CPU 12 stores an http(s)cgi in the data storage area 28 (S13).The http(s)cgi contains various scripts included in the http(s)response. It is noted that “cgi” is an abbreviation for “common gatewayinterface.” In the first illustrative embodiment, as the variousscripts, a no-operation timer script, a screen data request script, ascreen pressing process script, and a release process script aregenerated (see S71 to S73 in FIG. 10 ). The CPU 12 is enabled to performvarious processes such as a no-operation timer process and an http(s)cgirequest transmission process by executing the various scripts.

Further, the CPU 12 displays a virtual screen based on the receivedvirtual screen data, in the detail pane 184 (S14). Thereafter, the CPU12 terminates the remote control screen display process. Thereby, the“Remote Panel” as shown in FIG. 3A is displayed in the detail pane 184.

Referring back to FIG. 4 , the CPU 12 determines whether a no-operationtimer has measured a particular time (S2). Here, the “particular time”is, for example, 0.5 seconds. The no-operation timer is a timer that isinstructed to start in a below-mentioned step S35 (see FIG. 7 ).

When determining in S2 that the no-operation timer has measured theparticular time (S2: Yes), the CPU 12 performs a screen update process(S3) and then proceeds to S4. Meanwhile, when determining that theno-operation timer has not measured the particular time (S2: No), theCPU 12 goes to S4 without executing S3.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed procedure of the screen update process. In thescreen update process shown in FIG. 6 , first, the CPU 12 transmits anhttp(s) request for screen update (S21). Subsequently, the CPU 12receives an http(s) response and virtual screen data sent by the EWS inresponse to receiving the http(s) request for screen update (S22). Thehttp(s) response and the virtual screen data are generated andtransmitted in a below-mentioned screen data transmission process in S48(see FIG. 8A).

Then, the CPU 12 updates the virtual screen (i.e., the “Remote Panel”)based on received HTML data (S23). Afterward, the CPU 12 terminates thescreen update process. Thereby, the “Remote Panel” displayed in thedetail pane 184 matches the current display screen on the panel 105 ofthe MFP 100.

Referring back to FIG. 4 , the CPU 12 determines whether an inside areaof the virtual screen has been pressed (S4). When determining that aninside area of the virtual screen has been pressed (S4: Yes), the CPU 12performs an http(s)cgi request execution process (S5), and then proceedsto S6. Meanwhile, when determining that an inside area of the virtualscreen has not been pressed (S4: No), the CPU 12 goes to S6 withoutexecuting S5.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed procedure of the http(s)cgi request executionprocess. In the http(s)cgi request execution process shown in FIG. 7 ,first, the CPU 12 stops the no-operation timer (S31). The reason why theno-operation timer is stopped is to postpone execution of the screenupdate process in S3 such that the screen of the “Remote Panel” is notupdated until the http(s)cgi request execution process is completed. Ifthere is an icon or a button in the pressed position on the virtualscreen, the screen may transition into another one, or the color of thepressed button may change. The http(s)cgi request execution process is aprocess that makes such a change in the display mode of the displayscreen appear on the virtual screen. Therefore, if the screen updateprocess is performed during the execution of the http(s)cgi requestexecution process, there may be a discrepancy between the virtual screenon the display 18 and the real screen on the panel 105. The process ofS31 is for preventing the above problem.

Next, the CPU 12 generates an http(s)cgi request (S32) and transmits thegenerated http(s)cgi request (S33). The generated http(s)cgi requestincludes screen pressing information representing that the screen hasbeen pressed, and coordinates (hereinafter referred to as “presscoordinates”) of the pressed position.

Subsequently, the CPU 12 receives an http(s)cgi response sent by the EWSin response to receipt of the http(s)cgi request and performs a processaccording to the received http(s)cgi response (S34). The http(s)cgiresponse is generated and transmitted in a below-mentioned screenpressing process in S50 (see FIG. 8B).

Further, the CPU 12 starts the no-operation timer (S35). Thereafter, theCPU 12 terminates the http(s)cgi request execution process. Afterward,when the no-operation timer measures the aforementioned particular time(e.g., 0.5 seconds), the CPU 12 performs the screen update process in S3once.

Referring back to FIG. 4 , the CPU 12 determines whether an indicatedobject has been released from a pressed state (S6). The indicated objectis an object pressed and indicated when an inside area of the virtualscreen is pressed. In other words, examples of the indicated bodyinclude both objects (e.g., icons and buttons) that fulfill meaningfulfunctions when pressed and objects (e.g., part of a background image)that fulfill no meaningful functions even when pressed. Further, it isnoted that, hereinafter, “released from the pressed state” may be simplyexpressed as “released.”

When determining that the indicated object has been released from thepressed state (S6: Yes), the CPU 12 performs the http(s)cgi requestexecution process (S7), and thereafter proceeds to S8. Meanwhile, whendetermining that the indicated object has not been released from thepressed state (S6: No), the CPU 12 goes to S8 without executing S7. Thehttp(s)cgi request execution process in S7 is the http(s)cgi requestexecution process shown in FIG. 7 . However, contents of the http(s)cgirequest generated when the http(s)cgi request execution process isperformed in S7 is different from contents of the http(s)cgi requestgenerated when the http(s)cgi request execution process is performed inS5. Specifically, the http(s)cgi request generated in S5 includes thescreen pressing information, as described above. On the other hand, thehttp(s)cgi request generated in S7 includes release informationrepresenting that the indicated object has been released from thepressed state, and coordinates (hereinafter referred to as “releasecoordinates”) of a position where the indicated object has been releasedfrom the pressed state.

In S8, the CPU 12 determines whether one of individual keys has beenpressed and released. The individual keys are keys included in the keydisplay 105 c (see FIG. 3 ), and namely, correspond to the keys 106 ofthe MFP 100. When determining that one of the individual keys has beenpressed and released (S8: Yes), the CPU 12 performs the http(s)cgirequest execution process (S9), and thereafter goes back to S2.Meanwhile, the CPU 12 goes back to S2 without executing S9, whendetermining that one of the individual keys has not been pressed and/ornot released (S8: No) (i.e., when at least one of two conditions issatisfied that include a condition that one of the individual keys hasnot been pressed, and another condition that one of the individual keyshas not been released). However, contents of the http(s)cgi requestgenerated when the http(s)cgi request execution process is performed inS9 is different from the contents of the http(s)cgi request generatedwhen the http(s)cgi request execution process is performed in each ofthe steps S5 and S7. Specifically, the http(s)cgi request generated inS9 includes individual key information identifying the key that has beenpressed and released from among the individual keys, and a releasenotification representing that the key has been released.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a procedure of a main process by the CPU 101 of theMFP 100. In the main process shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the CPU 101 firstdisplays a standby screen on the panel 105 (S41). For instance, thestandby screen may be a screen similar to the panel display 105 b shownin FIG. 3A.

Subsequently, the CPU 101 determines whether the CPU 101 has receiveddata via http(s) communication (i.e., data communication according to anhttp(s) protocol) (S42). When determining that the CPU 101 has notreceived data via http(s) communication (S42: No), the CPU 101determines whether a main body panel operation (i.e., a user operationto the panel 105 or the keys 106) has been detected (S43). Whendetermining that a main body panel operation has been detected (S43:Yes), the CPU 101 performs a main body panel process (S44), andthereafter goes back to S42. Meanwhile, when determining that a mainbody panel operation has not been detected (S43: No), the CPU 101 goesback to S42 without executing S44.

FIG. 9 shows a detailed procedure of the main body panel process. In themain body panel process shown in FIG. 9 , first, the CPU 101 determineswhether a particular screen is being displayed on the panel 105 (S61).Examples of the particular screen may include, but are not limited to,the same screen as the panel display 105 d (see FIG. 3B) immediatelybefore the transition of the MFP 100 to the maintenance mode, and ascreen after the transition of the MFP 100 to the maintenance mode. Inother words, the same screen as the panel display 105 d immediatelybefore the transition and the screen after the transition may be definedas the particular screen. When determining that the particular screen isbeing displayed on the panel 105 (S61: Yes), the CPU 101 ignores thedetected main body panel operation (S62). Thereafter, the CPU 101terminates the main body panel process. Thus, when the particular screenis being displayed on the panel 105 (i.e., when the MFP 100 is in themaintenance mode or in the state immediately before the transition tothe maintenance mode, even if the user operates the panel 105 or thekeys 106, the operation is ignored without being accepted. Thus, whenthe MFP 100 is put in the maintenance mode by remote control, the userof the MFP 100 is prohibited from operating the panel 105 or the keys106. Hence, it is possible to prevent the user of the MFP 100 fromerroneously or intentionally changing the settings for the MFP 100 inthe maintenance mode.

The determination of S61 may be changed to a determination as to whetherthe MFP 100 is being remotely operated. In this case, a user operationto the panel 105 or to the keys 106 while the MFP 100 is being remotelyoperated may be ignored. It may be determined that the MFP 100 is beingremotely operated, based on the “Yes” button 105 a 1 having been pressedon the checking screen 105 a (see FIG. 2C).

Meanwhile, when determining that the particular screen is not beingdisplayed on the panel 105 (S61: No), the CPU 101 determines whether thedetected main body panel operation is a pressing operation (S63). Whendetermining that the detected main body panel operation is a pressingoperation (S63: Yes), the CPU 101 performs a screen pressing process(S64). Thereafter, the CPU 101 terminates the main body panel process.Meanwhile, when determining that the detected main body panel operationis not a pressing operation (S63: No), the CPU 101 performs a releaseprocess (S65). Afterward, the CPU 101 terminates the main body panelprocess.

FIG. 12 shows a detailed procedure of the screen pressing process. Inthe screen pressing process shown in FIG. 12 , first, the CPU 101determines whether the screen being displayed on the main body panel(i.e., the panel 105) is the particular screen (S91). When determiningthat the screen being displayed on the main body panel is not theparticular screen (S91: No), the CPU 101 determines whether the presscoordinates are within an area of one of button images (S92). Whendetermining that the press coordinates are within an area of one of thebutton images (S92: Yes), the CPU 101 switches a display mode for thecorresponding button image to a pressed mode (S93). For instance, thebutton images may include, but are not limited to, object imagescorresponding to the icons (e.g., the “Fax” icon, the “Copy” icon, etc.)and the buttons (e.g., the “Basic 1” button, the “Custom 1” button,etc.) in the panel display 105 b (see FIG. 3A). Further, for instance,“switching the display mode for the button image to the pressed mode”may denote switching the color of the button image from a color for anon-pressed mode (i.e., a normal mode) to a different color.

Next, the CPU 101 generates screen data and stores the generated screendata in the RAM 103 (S94). Thereafter, the CPU 101 goes to S95. Thescreen data stored in the RAM 103 is read out and used in a screen datatransmission process that will be described below with reference to FIG.11 .

Meanwhile, when determining that the screen being displayed on the mainbody panel is the particular screen (S91: Yes), or when determining thatthe press coordinates are not within the area of any of the buttonimages (S92: No), the CPU 101 skips S93 and S94 and proceeds to S95.

In S95, the CPU 101 determines whether the screen pressing process isinvoked by an http(s) request. When determining that the screen pressingprocess is invoked by an http(s) request (S95: Yes), the CPU 101transmits an http(s)cgi response (S96). Thereafter, the CPU 101terminates the screen pressing process. The said http(s)cgi response isthe http(s)cgi response to be received when the CPU 12 of the PC 10performs the http(s)cgi request execution process in S5 (see FIG. 4 ).The http(s)cgi response includes information indicating which http(s)request the http(s)cgi response is a response to.

Meanwhile, when determining that the screen pressing process is notinvoked by an http(s) request (S95: No), the CPU 101 terminates thescreen pressing process without executing S96.

The screen pressing process is invoked not only in S64 of the main bodypanel process in S44, but also in a below-mentioned step S48. Therefore,processing contents of the screen pressing process are versatilelycreated. Specifically, the determination of S91, the determination ofS95, and the processing in S96 are unnecessary when the screen pressingprocess is invoked in S64, but are necessary when the screen pressingprocess is invoked in S48.

The release process in S65 is invoked not only in S65 but also in S52and S54 (see FIG. 8B). Therefore, processing contents of the releaseprocess are versatilely created, similarly to the screen pressingprocess. Prior to a detailed explanation of the release process withreference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, S45 and the following steps in the mainprocess (see FIGS. 8A and 8B) by the MFP 100 will be described.

When determining that the CPU 101 has received data via http(s)communication (S42: Yes), the CPU 101 determines whether the datareceived via the http(s) communication is an http(s) request for theinitial screen (S45). When determining that the data received via thehttp(s) communication is the http(s) request for the initial screen(S45: Yes), the CPU 101 performs an initial screen transmission process(S46). Thereafter, the CPU 101 goes back to S42.

FIG. 10 shows a detailed procedure of the initial screen transmissionprocess. In the initial screen transmission process shown in FIG. 10 ,first, the CPU 101 generates the no-operation timer script (S71). Theno-operation timer script is a program for causing the browser tooperate the no-operation timer and perform, for instance, the screenupdate process in S3.

Next, the CPU 101 generates the screen data request script (S72). Thescreen data request script is a program for causing the browser toperform a screen data request process and generate an http(s) requestincluding a screen data request (e.g., the http(s) request for screenupdate that is transmitted in S21).

Subsequently, the CPU 101 generates a screen pressing process script anda release process script (S73). The screen pressing process script is aprogram for causing the browser to perform a screen pressing process andperform, for instance, the determination of S4, and the processes of S31to S33 in the http(s)cgi request execution process (see FIG. 7 ) to beperformed in S5 when the determination of S4 is affirmative (i.e., S4:Yes). Further, the release process script is a program for causing thebrowser to perform a release process and perform, for instance, thedetermination of S6, and the processes of S31 to S33 in the http(s)cgirequest execution process to be performed in S7 when the determinationof S6 is affirmative (i.e., S6: Yes).

Next, the CPU 101 reads out screen data (S74). The screen data is screendata of the screen being currently displayed on the panel 105 of the MFP100. To display a screen on the panel 105, the MFP 100 generates screendata of the screen, stores the generated screen data in the RAM 103,reads out the screen data from the RAM 103, and displays on the panel105 the screen based on the screen data. Accordingly, in S74, the CPU101 reads out the screen data from the RAM 103.

Subsequently, the CPU 101 generates an http(s) response, and transmitsthe generated http(s) response with the read screen data (S75).Thereafter, the CPU 101 terminates the initial screen transmissionprocess. The http(s) response is a response to the http(s) request forthe initial screen as transmitted in S11 (see FIG. 5 ). The http(s)response includes the scripts generated in S71 to S73 and informationrepresenting that the screen data is transmitted together with thehttp(s) response.

Referring back to FIGS. 8A and 8B, when determining in S45 that the datareceived via the http(s) communication is not the http(s) request forthe initial screen (S45: No), the CPU 101 determines whether the datareceived via the http(s) communication is an http(s) request for screenupdate (S47). When determining that the data received via the http(s)communication is the http(s) request for screen update (S47: Yes), theCPU 101 performs a screen data transmission process (S48). Afterward,the CPU 101 goes back to S42.

FIG. 11 shows a detailed procedure of the screen data transmissionprocess. In the screen data transmission process shown in FIG. 11 ,first, the CPU 101 reads out screen data (S81). Specifically, in S81,the CPU 101 reads out the screen data stored in the RAM 103 in theaforementioned step S94 (see FIG. 12 ) or screen data stored in the RAM103 in a below-mentioned step S104 (see FIG. 13B).

Next, the CPU 101 generates an http(s) response and transmits thegenerated http(s) response with the read screen data (S82). Thereafter,the CPU 101 terminates the screen data transmission process. The processof S82 is different from the process of S75 only in that the http(s)response is a response to the http(s) request for screen update astransmitted in S21 (see FIG. 6 ). Therefore, a further explanation ofthe process of S82 is omitted.

Referring back to FIGS. 8A and 8B, when determining that the datareceived via the http(s) communication is not the http(s) request forscreen update (S47: No), the CPU 101 determines whether the datareceived via the http(s) communication is an http(s)cgi requestincluding the screen pressing information (S49). When determining thatthe data received via the http(s) communication is the http(s)cgirequest including the screen pressing information (S49: Yes), the CPU101 performs the screen pressing process (S50). Thereafter, the CPU 101goes back to S42. The screen pressing process has been described indetail as the process of S64 included in the main body panel process inS44. Hence, a further explanation of the screen pressing process isomitted.

When determining in S49 that the data received via the http(s)communication is not the http(s)cgi request including the screenpressing information (S49: No), the CPU 101 determines whether the datareceived via the http(s) communication is an http(s)cgi requestincluding the release information (S51). When determining that the datareceived via the http(s) communication is the http(s)cgi requestincluding the release information (S51: Yes), the CPU 101 performs therelease process (S52). Afterward, the CPU 101 goes back to S42.

Meanwhile, when determining in S51 that the data received via thehttp(s) communication is not the http(s)cgi request including therelease information (S51: No), the CPU 101 determines whether the datareceived via the http(s) communication is an http(s)cgi requestincluding the individual key information (S53). When determining thatthe data received via the http(s) communication is the http(s)cgirequest including the individual key information (S53: Yes), the CPU 101performs the release process (S54). Afterward, the CPU 101 goes back toS42.

Meanwhile, when determining in S53 that the data received via thehttp(s) communication is not the http(s)cgi request including theindividual key information (S53: No), the CPU 101 goes back to S42.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show a detailed procedure of the release process. Inthe release process shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the CPU 101 firstdetermines whether the release coordinates are within an area of one ofthe button images or whether a release notification for an individualkey has been given (S101). When determining in S101 that at least one oftwo conditions is satisfied that include a condition that the releasecoordinates are within an area of one of the button images and anothercondition that a release notification for an individual key has beengiven (S101: Yes), the CPU 101 determines whether a button associatedwith the corresponding button image, or the corresponding individual keyis for switching the screen (S102). When determining in S102 that thebutton associated with the corresponding button image, or thecorresponding individual key is for switching the screen (S102: Yes),the CPU 101 switches the screen being displayed on the panel 105 to ascreen associated with the button or the individual key (S103).Thereafter, the CPU 101 proceeds to S104. Specifically, examples of theobject (e.g., buttons) for switching the screen may include, but are notlimited to, the “Fax” icon in a case where the same screen as the paneldisplay 105 b (see FIG. 3A) is displayed on the panel 105. When the“Fax” icon is pressed, the screen on the panel 105 is switched to ascreen displaying an operation panel for “Fax.” Further, the examples ofthe object (e.g., individual keys) for switching the screen may include,but are not limited to, a “HOME” key.

In S104, the CPU 101 generates screen data for displaying on the “RemotePanel” the same screen as displayed on the panel 105 and stores thegenerated screen data in the RAM 103 in substantially the same manner asin S94. Thus, for instance, when the “Fax” icon on the panel 105 ispressed, and the screen on the panel 105 is switched to the screendisplaying the operation panel for “Fax,” screen data for displaying thescreen of the operation panel for “Fax” on the “Remote Panel” isgenerated and stored in the RAM 103.

Next, the CPU 101 determines whether the release process is invoked byan http(s) request (S105). When determining that the release process isinvoked by an http(s) request (S105: Yes), the CPU 101 generates andtransmits an http(s)cgi response (S106). Thereafter, the CPU 101terminates the release process. The http(s)cgi response is thehttp(s)cgi response to be received when the CPU 12 of the PC 10 performsthe http(s)cgi request execution process in S7 (see FIG. 4 ). Thehttp(s)cgi response includes information indicating which http(s)request the http(s)cgi response is a response to.

Meanwhile, when determining in S105 that the release process is notinvoked by an http(s) request (S105: No), the CPU 101 terminates therelease process without executing S106.

Meanwhile, when determining in S102 that the button associated with thecorresponding button image is not for switching the screen and that thecorresponding individual key is not for switching the screen (S102: No),the CPU 101 determines whether it is confirmed that a releasenotification for an individual key has not been given (S107). When it isconfirmed that a release notification for an individual key has not beengiven (S107: Yes), i.e., when the button associated with thecorresponding button image is not a button for switching the screen, theCPU 101 switches the display mode for the button image to a normal mode(S108). Afterward, the CPU 101 proceeds to S104. Thereby, the displaymode for the button image of the released button is switched from thepressed mode to the normal mode on the panel 105.

Then, the CPU 101 performs the processes of S104 to S106. Afterward, theCPU 101 terminates the release process. When the CPU 101 proceeds toS106 via S108, S104, and S105, the CPU 101 generates and transmits anhttp(s)cgi response, which is the http(s)cgi response to be receivedwhen the CPU 12 of the PC 10 performs the http(s)cgi request executionprocess in S5 (see FIG. 4 ), in substantially the same manner as whenthe CPU 101 proceeds to S106 via S103, S104, and S105.

Meanwhile, when determining in S107 that it is confirmed that a releasenotification for an individual key has been given (S107: No), the CPU101 determines whether at least one of two conditions is satisfied thatinclude a condition that the particular screen is not being displayed onthe panel 105 and another condition that the release notification for anindividual key is not the release notification for a focus modeprocessing key (S109). When determining in S109 that at least one of thetwo conditions is satisfied (S109: Yes), the CPU 101 updates the screendisplay (S110). Thereafter, the CPU 101 proceeds to S104. Examples ofthe focus mode processing key may include, but are not limited to, astart key, a movement key, a determination key, and an end key.Specifically, for instance, in the key display 105 c, the “HOME” keycorresponds to the start key, a “#” key corresponds to a forwardmovement key, an “*” key corresponds to a backward movement key, a “0”key corresponds to the determination key, and a “BACK” key correspondsto the end key. The focus mode is a mode in which one of the keys in thesoftware keyboard 105 d 2 is displayed in a selected state, and aprocess to be performed when the key in the selected state is pressed isperformed in response to an operation to the determination key.

Then, the CPU 101 performs the processes of S104 to S106. Afterward, theCPU 101 terminates the release process. When the CPU 101 proceeds toS106 via S110, S104, and S105, the CPU 101 generates and transmits anhttp(s)cgi response, which is the http(s)cgi response to be receivedwhen the CPU 12 of the PC 10 performs the http(s)cgi request executionprocess in S9 (see FIG. 4 ), unlike when the CPU 101 proceeds to S106via S103, S104, and S105.

Meanwhile, in S109, when determining that the particular screen is beingdisplayed on the panel 105 and that the release notification for anindividual key is the release notification for a focus mode processingkey (S109: No), the CPU 101 skips S110 and S104, and proceeds to S105.In this case, the screen displayed on the panel 105 does not change. Onthe particular screen, it has to be prevented to let the third partyother than the administrator see, on the panel 105, how the MFP 100 isremotely controlled using the focus mode processing key. Therefore, thescreen displayed on the panel 105 does not change even if the focus modeprocessing key is operated.

Then, the CPU 101 performs the processes of S105 and S106. Afterward,the CPU 101 terminates the release process. When the CPU 101 proceedsfrom S109 to S106 via S105 without executing S110 or S104, the CPU 101generates and transmits an http(s)cgi response, which is not transmittedtogether with image data, unlike when the CPU 101 proceeds to S106 viaS110, S104, and S105. Thereby, on the “Remote Panel” in the maintenancemode as well, it is not displayed how the MFP 100 is remotely operatedusing the focus mode processing key.

Meanwhile, when determining in S101 that none of the two conditions issatisfied that include the condition that the release coordinates arewithin an area of one of the button images and the said anothercondition that a release notification for an individual key has beengiven (S101: No), the CPU 101 proceeds to S105.

Thus, when the particular screen is being displayed in the detail pane184 as shown in FIG. 3B, if the administrator presses the softwarekeyboard 105 d 2 in an attempt to enter the password in the passwordentry field 105 d 1, the display mode for each pressed key is notswitched to the pressed mode. This is because the CPU 101 makes anaffirmative determination in S91 (i.e., S91: Yes) and skips S93, in thescreen pressing process (see FIG. 12 ). On the panel 105 of the MFP 100as well, the same display as in the detail pane 184 is shown. Therefore,the display mode for each pressed key is not switched to the pressedmode.

However, since the input process for the pressed keys is accepted, theinput password is entered into the password entry field 105 d 1.Nonetheless, the password in the password entry field 105 d 1 is hidden,for instance, to be overwritten with “*.”

Further, when the particular screen is the “Remote Panel” for themaintenance mode after transition from the “Remote Panel” forauthentication, a display restriction is imposed on the softwarekeyboard 105 d 2 in such a manner that the display mode for the softwarekeyboard 105 d 2 is left unchanged. However, in this case, even theadministrator may not be sure which key has been pressed or whether theintended key has been pressed correctly. Therefore, the displayrestriction may be lifted for the software keyboard 105 d 2 in thedetail pane 184. Further, the display restriction may be maintained forthe software keyboard on the panel 105. In this case, for instance, thesoftware keyboard 105 d 2 in the detail pane 184 may be configured to beset selectively by the administrator between a mode in which the displayrestriction is not cancelled and a mode in which the display restrictionis cancelled. Furthermore, on the MFP 100 side as well, the softwarekeyboard on the panel 105 may be set according to an instruction fromthe administrator, selectively between a mode in which the displayrestriction is not cancelled and a mode in which the display restrictionis cancelled.

When the particular screen is being displayed on the panel 105 of theMFP 100, even if there is a user operation to the panel 105 or the keys106, the user operation is ignored. This is because the CPU 101 makes anaffirmative determination in S61 (i.e., S61: Yes) in the main body panelprocess (see FIG. 9 ) and performs the process of S62.

As described above, the MFP 100 of the first illustrative embodimentincludes the network I/F 108, the panel 105, and the CPU 101. When theMFP 100 is remotely connected with the PC 10 via the network I/F 108,the CPU 101 transmits to the PC 10 screen data for causing the PC 10 todisplay substantially the same screen as the display screen beingdisplayed on the panel 105, receives remote access from the PC 10, andperform display processing for the display screen in accordance with theremote access. In this case, if the CPU 101 receives the remote accesswhen the display screen is the particular screen (i.e., while theparticular screen is being displayed as the display screen on the panel105), the CPU 101 imposes a display restriction on the display screen.

Thus, the MFP 100 of the first illustrative embodiment is configured toimpose the display restriction when the particular screen is beingdisplayed on the panel 105.

Second Illustrative Embodiment

Next, an image forming system of a second illustrative embodimentaccording to aspects of the present disclosure will be described withreference to FIGS. 14 to 16 . The image forming system of the secondillustrative embodiment is different, only in part of controlprocessing, from the image forming system 1 of the aforementioned firstillustrative embodiment. Therefore, the control configuration of theimage forming system 1 of the first illustrative embodiment will beemployed as is, for the image forming system of the second illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 14A shows an example of a display of the detail pane 184 of thebrowser activated on the PC 10 included in the image forming system 1 ofthe second illustrative embodiment. In the detail pane 184 shown in FIG.14A, a “Remote Panel” for authentication to make a transition to themaintenance mode is displayed, in substantially the same manner as inthe detail pane 184 shown in FIG. 3B.

However, on the “Remote Panel” for authentication in FIG. 14A, a displaymode for the panel display 105 d′ is different from the display mode forthe panel display 105 d on the “Remote Panel” for authentication in FIG.3B. Specifically, on the panel display 105 d′, the software keyboard 105d 2 in the panel display 105 d in FIG. 3B is not displayed, but only thepassword input column 105 d 1 is displayed. Therefore, the password isentered into the password entry field 105 d 1 using the keys in the keydisplay 105 c.

The panel display 105 d′ in the detail pane 184 is displayed as is onthe panel 105 of the MFP 100 as well. FIG. 14B shows the panel display105 d′ on the panel 105 of MFP 100.

Next, control processing by the image forming system 1 of the secondillustrative embodiment will be described. The control processing of thesecond illustrative embodiment is different from the control processingof the aforementioned first illustrative embodiment only in part of thescreen pressing process and the release process performed by the CPU 101of the MFP 100. Accordingly, the other processes included in the controlprocessing of the first illustrative embodiment (specifically, theprocesses shown in FIGS. 4 to 11 ) will be applied as are to the secondillustrative embodiment as well.

FIG. 15 shows a detailed procedure of a screen pressing process to beperformed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 100 in the second illustrativeembodiment. The screen pressing process shown in FIG. 15 is configuredby removing the determination of S91 from the screen pressing processshown in FIG. 12 . This is because, in the second illustrativeembodiment, there is no need to change the display mode for buttonimages since no button images are displayed on the particular screenwhen the particular screen is being displayed in the detail pane 184 andon the panel 105. Thus, the determination of S 91 (see FIG. 12 ) isremoved.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show a detailed procedure of a release process to beperformed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 100 in the second illustrativeembodiment. The release process shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B is configuredby removing the determination of S109 from the release process shown inFIGS. 13A and 13B and adding a determination of S115 and a process ofS116 to the release process shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. A reason forremoving S109 is that no button images are displayed on the particularscreen. Further, a reason for adding S115 after S102 is that when themain body panel screen to be next displayed is the particular screen(i.e., in a case of “S115: Yes”), the screen displayed on the panel 105at the time of the determination of S102 needs to be switched to ascreen (i.e., the same screen as the panel display 105 d′ shown in FIGS.14A and 14B) without input buttons.

Thus, in the second illustrative embodiment, when the particular screenis being displayed on the panel 105 of the MFP 100, the screen isswitched to the same screen as the panel display 105 d′ without inputbuttons, on the panel 105 as well as in the detail pane 184. Therefore,it is impossible for the third party other than the administrator tofollow a change in the di splay mode for each of the operated keys andknow the password. Thus, since there is no risk for confidentialinformation on the MFP 100 to leak to the third party other than theadministrator, it is possible to achieve improved security of theconfidential information on the MFP 100.

Next, an image forming system 1 in a modification of the secondillustrative embodiment will be described. In the modification, thedisplay screen on the panel 105 of the MFP 100 varies between when theMFP 100 is remotely connected with the PC 10 and when the MFP 100 is notremotely connected with the PC 10.

FIG. 14C shows an example of the panel display 105 b for authenticationto shift the MFP 100 into the maintenance mode when the MFP 100 is notremotely connected with the PC 10. The MFP 100 is configured to, whendirectly operated, transition into the maintenance mode, regardless ofwhether the MFP 100 is externally accessed from the PC 10. The paneldisplay 105 b for authentication as shown in FIG. 14C is anauthentication screen displayed on the panel 105 for the administratorto directly operate the MFP 100 to shift the MFP 100 into themaintenance mode. In other words, when the MFP 100 is not remotelyconnected with the PC 10, the software keyboard 105 d 2 is displayed inthe panel display 105 b for authentication on the panel 105. In thiscase, when the software keyboard 105 d 2 is operated, the display modefor the operated key changes.

Thus, in the modification of the second illustrative embodiment, the MFP100 includes the network I/F 108, the panel 105, and the CPU 101. Whenthe MFP 100 is remotely connected with the PC 10 via the network IF 108,the CPU 101 transmits to the PC 10 screen data for causing the PC 10 todisplay substantially the same screen as the panel display 105 d beingdisplayed on the panel 105. Then, the CPU 101 receives remote accessfrom the PC 10, and perform display processing for the panel display 105d in accordance with the remote access. Further, when the MFP 100 is notremotely connected with the PC 10 via the network I/F 108, the CPU 101displays on the panel 105 the panel display 105 d (hereinafter, whichmay be referred to as a “first screen 105 d”) that is the particularscreen. Meanwhile, when the MFP 100 is remotely connected with the PC 10via the network I/F 108, instead of the first screen 105 d, the CPU 101displays on the panel 105 the panel display 105 d′ (hereinafter, whichmay be referred to as a “second screen 105 d′”) for which a display modeis different from a display mode for the first screen 105 d.

When the MFP 100 is not remotely connected with the PC 10, theadministrator operates the MFP 100 directly in front of the MFP 100.Hence, there is no risk for confidential information on the MFP 100 toleak to the third party other than the administrator. Therefore, in themodification of the third illustrative embodiment, the display screen onthe panel 105 is changed between when the MFP 100 is remotely connectedwith the PC 10 and when the MFP 100 is not remotely connected with thePC 10. Thereby, the MFP 100 is configured to, when not remotelyconnected with the PC 10, display on the panel 105 the screen (e.g., thefirst screen 105 d shown in FIG. 14C) that is easier for theadministrator to operate. Thus, it is possible to improve theoperability for the administrator to operate the MFP 100.

Third Illustrative Embodiment

Subsequently, an image forming system of a third illustrative embodimentaccording to aspects of the present disclosure will be described withreference to FIGS. 17 to 20 . The image forming system of the thirdillustrative embodiment is different, only in part of controlprocessing, from the image forming system 1 of the aforementioned firstillustrative embodiment. Therefore, the control configuration of theimage forming system 1 of the first illustrative embodiment will beemployed as is, for the image forming system of the second illustrativeembodiment.

In the image forming system 1 of the third illustrative embodiment,while the particular screen is being displayed on the panel 105 of theMFP 100, a backlight of the panel 105 is turned off so as not to allowthe third party other than the administrator to see informationdisplayed on the panel 105.

The image forming system 1 of the third illustrative embodiment isconfigured by partially modifying the main process on the PC 10 side andthe main process on the MFP 100 side in the image forming system 1 ofthe aforementioned first illustrative embodiment. Therefore, withrespect to each of substantially the same processes as performed in theimage forming system 1 of the first illustrative embodiment, the samereference character will be provided thereto, and an explanation thereofwill be omitted.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a main process to beperformed by the CPU 12 of the PC 10 in the third illustrativeembodiment. The main process shown in FIG. 17 is configured by removingthe determination of S8 and the determination of S9 from the mainprocess shown in FIG. 4 . In the third illustrative embodiment, when theadministrator performs an input operation to the “Remote Panel” whilethe “Remote Panel” is being displayed in the detail pane 184 on thebrowser screen 180, the display mode changes according to the inputoperation, on both the “Remote Panel” and the panel 105. In other words,the control, as performed in the aforementioned first illustrativeembodiment in such a manner that the display mode does not changeaccording to the input operation, is not performed in the thirdillustrative embodiment. However, in this case, since the backlight ofthe panel 105 is turned off, the information displayed on the panel 105is invisible to those who are in front of the MFP 100. Therefore, S8 andS9 are removed.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a main process to beperformed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 100 in the third illustrativeembodiment. The main process shown in FIG. 18 is configured by removingthe determination of S53 and the process of S54 from the main processshown in FIGS. 8A and 8B and partially modifying the initial screentransmission process and the release process. A reason for removing S53and S54 is substantially the same as the aforementioned reason forremoving S8 and S9.

FIG. 19 shows a detailed procedure of an initial screen transmissionprocess of S46′ in FIG. 18 . The initial screen transmission processshown in FIG. 19 is configured by adding a determination of S76 and aprocess of S77 to the initial screen transmission process shown in FIG.10 .

In S76, CPU 101 determines whether a setting for putting the main bodypanel in a non-display mode while the “Remote Panel” is in use is valid.When determining that the setting for putting the main body panel in thenon-display mode while the “Remote Panel” is in use is valid (S76: Yes),the CPU 101 turns off the backlight of the panel 105 (S77). Thereafter,the CPU 101 terminates the initial screen transmission process.Meanwhile, when determining that the setting for putting the main bodypanel in the non-display mode while the “Remote Panel” is in use is notvalid (S76: No), the CPU 101 terminates the initial screen transmissionprocess without executing S77.

FIGS. 20A and 20B shows a detailed procedure of a release process ofS52′ in FIG. 18 . The release process shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B isconfigured by modifying the release process shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B,more specifically, by deleting part of the determination of S101,removing the determination of S107, the determination of S109, and theprocess of S110, and adding processes of S120 to S122.

In S101′, the CPU 101 determines whether the release coordinates arewithin an area of one of the button images. A reason for deleting thedetermination as to whether a release notification for an individual keyhas been given (see S101 in FIG. 13A) is substantially the same as theaforementioned reason for removing S8 and S9.

In S120, the CPU 101 determines whether the main body panel screen isthe particular screen. When determining that the main body panel screenis the particular screen (S120: Yes), the CPU 101 turns off thebacklight of the panel 105 (S121). Thereafter, the CPU 101 goes to S105.Meanwhile, when determining that the main body panel screen is not theparticular screen (S120: No), the CPU 101 determines whether the settingfor putting the main body panel in the non-display mode while the“Remote Panel” is in use is valid, in substantially the same manner asin S76 (S122). When determining that the setting for putting the mainbody panel in the non-display mode while the “Remote Panel” is in use isnot valid (S122: No), the CPU 101 proceeds to S105. Meanwhile, whendetermining that the setting for putting the main body panel in thenon-display mode while the “Remote Panel” is in use is valid (S122:Yes), the CPU 101 turns off the backlight of the panel 105 (S121). Thebacklight of the panel 105 is on by default. Hence, for instance, theCPU 101 may turn on the backlight of the panel 105 at the same time whendisplaying the standby screen in the aforementioned step S41 (see FIG.18 ).

Thus, in the third illustrative embodiment, when the particular screenis being displayed on the panel 105 of the MFP 100, the backlight of thepanel 105 is turned off. Therefore, there is no risk for confidentialinformation on the MFP 100 to leak to the third party other than theadministrator.

In addition, the main body panel may be set to the non-display modewhile the “Remote Panel” is in use. Specifically, when the setting forputting the main body panel in the non-display mode while the “RemotePanel” is in use is valid, the backlight of the panel 105 is turned offeven while the “Remote Panel” is in use. Thus, it is possible to furtherimprove the security of the confidential information on the MFP 100.

Hereinabove, the illustrative embodiments according to aspects of thepresent disclosure have been described. Aspects of the presentdisclosure may be practiced by employing conventional materials,methodology and equipment. Accordingly, the details of such materials,equipment and methodology are not set forth herein in detail. In theprevious descriptions, numerous specific details are set forth, such asspecific materials, structures, chemicals, processes, etc., in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, itshould be recognized that aspects of the present disclosure may bepracticed without reapportioning to the details specifically set forth.In other instances, well known processing structures have not beendescribed in detail, in order not to unnecessarily obscure the presentdisclosure.

Only exemplary illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure andbut a few examples of their versatility are shown and described in thepresent disclosure. It is to be understood that aspects of the presentdisclosure are capable of use in various other combinations andenvironments and are capable of changes or modifications within thescope of the inventive concept as expressed herein. For instance, thefollowing modifications may be feasible.

In the aforementioned illustrative embodiments, the MFP 100 has beendescribed as an example of an “image forming apparatus” according toaspects of the present disclosure. However, examples of the “imageforming apparatus” according to aspects of the present disclosure mayinclude, but are not limited to, standalone printers, standalone imagescanners, and standalone copy machines, as well as the MFP 100.

In the aforementioned illustrative embodiments, the CPU 101 has beendescribed as an example of a “controller” according to aspects of thepresent disclosure. However, the “controller” according to aspects ofthe present disclosure may include one or more CPUs and one or morededicated circuits. Examples of the dedicated circuits may include, butare not limited to, ASICs (“ASIC” is an abbreviation for “ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit”) and FPGAs (“FPGA” is an abbreviation for“Field Programmable Gate Array”).

The following shows examples of associations between elementsexemplified in the aforementioned illustrative embodiments andmodifications and elements according to aspects of the presentdisclosure. The image forming system 1 may be an example of an “imageforming system” according to aspects of the present disclosure. The MFP100 may be an example of an “image forming apparatus” according toaspects of the present disclosure. The network I/F 108 may be an exampleof a “communication interface” according to aspects of the presentdisclosure, and may be an example of a “second communication interface”according to aspects of the present disclosure. The panel 105 may be anexample of a “display” according to aspects of the present disclosure,and may be an example of a “second display” according to aspects of thepresent disclosure. The CPU 101 may be included in a “controller”according to aspects of the present disclosure, and may be included in a“second controller” according to aspects of the present disclosure. TheCPU 101 may be an example of a “processor” according to aspects of thepresent disclosure. The ROM 102 storing the control programs 102 a mayalso be included in the “controller” according to aspects of the presentdisclosure, and may also be included in the “second controller”according to aspects of the present disclosure. The ROM 102 storing thecontrol programs 102 a may be an example of a “memory storingcomputer-readable instructions” according to aspects of the presentdisclosure. The PC 10 may be an example of an “information processingdevice” according to aspects of the present disclosure. The network I/F20 may be an example of a “first communication interface” according toaspects of the present disclosure. The display 18 may be an example of a“first display” according to aspects of the present disclosure. The CPU12 may be included in a “first controller” according to aspects of thepresent disclosure. The particular screen may be an example of a“particular screen” according to aspects of the present disclosure. Thepanel 105 and the keys 106 may be included in a “user interface” of the“image forming apparatus” according to aspects of the presentdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: acommunication interface; a user interface; and a controller configuredto: cause the user interface to display a display screen thereon;receive an initial request for remote access from an informationprocessing device via the communication interface; after receiving theinitial request for remote access, generate screen data for causing theinformation processing device to display, as a remote screen, a samescreen as the display screen displayed on the user interface, andtransmit the generated screen data to the information processing devicethat has sent the initial request for remote access; receive anoperation via the user interface regardless of whether the initialrequest for remote access has been received; in response to receiving anoperation to a first operable object included in the display screendisplayed on the user interface, cause the user interface to display afirst-operable-object updated display screen with a display mode for thefirst operable object updated to a mode indicating that the firstoperable object has been operated; when the operation to the firstoperable object included in the display screen on the user interface hasbeen received after the receipt of the initial request for remoteaccess, generate first-operable-object updated screen data for causingthe information processing device to display, as a first-operable-objectupdated remote screen, a same screen as the first-operable-objectupdated display screen displayed on the user interface, and transmit thegenerated first-operable-object updated screen data to the informationprocessing device that has sent the initial request for remote access;after transmitting the screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display the remote screen, in response toreceiving, from the information processing device that has sent theinitial request for remote access, remote access indicating that anoperation to the first operable object included in the display screendisplayed on the user interface has been received via the remote screen,cause the user interface to display the first-operable-object updateddisplay screen with the display mode for the first operable objectupdated to the mode indicating that the first operable object has beenoperated, generate the first-operable-object updated screen data forcausing the information processing device to display, as thefirst-operable-object updated remote screen, the same screen as thefirst-operable-object updated display screen displayed on the userinterface, and transmit the generated first-operable-object updatedscreen data to the information processing device; after receiving theinitial request for remote access from the information processingdevice, when receiving an operation to a second operable object forlogin operation that is included in a login screen displayed on the userinterface, cause the user interface to not update a display mode for thesecond operable object to a mode indicating that the second operableobject has been operated, and even after receiving the initial requestfor remote access, neither generate nor transmit, to the informationprocessing device that has sent the initial request for remote access,second-operable-object updated screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display a second-operable-object updated remotescreen with the display mode for the second operable object updated tothe mode indicating that the second operable object has been operated;and after transmitting the screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display the remote screen, when receiving, from theinformation processing device, remote access indicating that anoperation to the second operable object included in the login screendisplayed on the user interface has been received via the remote screen,cause the user interface to not update the display mode for the secondoperable object to the mode indicating that the second operable objecthas been operated, and even after receiving the initial request forremote access, neither generate nor transmit, to the informationprocessing device that has sent the initial request for remote access,the second-operable-object updated screen data for causing theinformation processing device to display the second-operable-objectupdated remote screen with the display mode for the second operableobject updated to the mode indicating that the second operable objecthas been operated.
 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the controller is further configured to: in response toreceiving remote access from the information processing device that hassent the initial request for remote access, determine whether to performdisplay processing for the display screen on the user interface inaccordance with the remote access or to impose a display restriction onthe display screen on the user interface, based on whether the receivedremote access includes an instruction to display a particular screen asthe display screen on the user interface; when the received remoteaccess does not include an instruction to display the particular screenas the display screen on the user interface, perform the displayprocessing for the display screen in accordance with the remote access,thereby causing the user interface to display the display screen in anunrestricted manner, generate screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display a same screen as the display screen beingdisplayed on the user interface in the unrestricted manner, and transmitthe generated screen data to the information processing device, whereinwhen the operation has been received via the user interface after thereceipt of the initial request for remote access, the controllergenerates the screen data for causing the information processing deviceto display the same screen as the display screen updated according tothe received operation in the unrestricted manner and transmits thegenerated screen data to the information processing device; and when thereceived remote access includes an instruction to display the particularscreen as the display screen on the user interface, impose the displayrestriction on the display screen, thereby causing the user interface todisplay the display screen in a restricted manner, generate screen datafor causing the information processing device to display the same screenas the display screen being displayed on the user interface in therestricted manner, and transmit the generated screen data to theinformation processing device, wherein when the operation has beenreceived via the user interface after the receipt of the initial requestfor remote access, the controller generates the screen data for causingthe information processing device to display the same screen as thedisplay screen updated according to the received operation in therestricted manner, and transmits the generated screen data to theinformation processing device.
 3. The image forming apparatus accordingto claim 2, wherein a screen on the user interface immediately beforethe image forming apparatus makes a transition to a maintenance mode anda screen on the user interface after the transition are defined as theparticular screen.
 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the login screen on the user interface immediately before anadministrator logs in to the image forming apparatus from theinformation processing device and a screen on the user interface afterthe login are defined as the particular screen.
 5. The image formingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to, when the remote access indicates an object operation toremotely operate an operable object on the particular screen byoperating a corresponding object on a same screen as the particularscreen, impose the display restriction to leave unchanged a display modefor the remotely-operated object.
 6. The image forming apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein the object operation is for entering apassword.
 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, whereinthe object operation is performed by operating a focus mode processingkey.
 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein thecontroller is further configured to select one of: a first mode tochange the display mode for the object corresponding to the operatedobject; and a second mode to not change the display mode for the objectcorresponding to the operated object.
 9. The image forming apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein the information processing device includesa user interface configured to display the operated object on the samescreen as the display screen.
 10. The image forming apparatus accordingto claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to, when theparticular screen is being displayed as the display screen on the userinterface, not accept a user operation via the user interface.
 11. Theimage forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controller isfurther configured to impose the display restriction to display nooperable objects on the display screen.
 12. The image forming apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the user interface comprises a backlight,and is configured to display the display screen using the backlight, andwherein the controller is further configured to impose the displayrestriction to turn off the backlight.
 13. The image forming apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises: a processor; anda non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-readableinstructions configured to, when executed by the processor, cause thecontroller to: cause the user interface to display the display screenthereon; receive the initial request for remote access from theinformation processing device via the communication interface; afterreceiving the initial request for remote access, generate screen datafor causing the information processing device to display, as the remotescreen, the same screen as the display screen displayed on the userinterface, and transmit the generated screen data to the informationprocessing device that has sent the initial request for remote access;receive an operation via the user interface regardless of whether theinitial request for remote access has been received; in response toreceiving an operation to the first operable object included in thedisplay screen displayed on the user interface, cause the user interfaceto display the first-operable-object updated display screen with thedisplay mode for the first operable object updated to the modeindicating that the first operable object has been operated; when theoperation to the first operable object included in the display screen onthe user interface has been received after the receipt of the initialrequest for remote access, generate the first-operable-object updatedscreen data for causing the information processing device to display, asthe first-operable-object updated remote screen, the same screen as thefirst-operable-object updated display screen displayed on the userinterface, and transmit the generated first-operable-object updatedscreen data to the information processing device that has sent theinitial request for remote access; after transmitting the screen datafor causing the information processing device to display the remotescreen, in response to receiving, from the information processing devicethat has sent the initial request for remote access, remote accessindicating that an operation to the first operable object included inthe display screen displayed on the user interface has been received viathe remote screen, cause the user interface to display thefirst-operable-object updated display screen with the display mode forthe first operable object updated to the mode indicating that the firstoperable object has been operated, generate the first-operable-objectupdated screen data for causing the information processing device todisplay, as the first-operable-object updated remote screen, the samescreen as the first-operable-object updated display screen displayed onthe user interface, and transmit the generated first-operable-objectupdated screen data to the information processing device; afterreceiving the initial request for remote access from the informationprocessing device, when receiving an operation to the second operableobject for login operation that is included in the login screendisplayed on the user interface, cause the user interface to not updatethe display mode for the second operable object to the mode indicatingthat the second operable object has been operated, and even afterreceiving the initial request for remote access, neither generate nortransmit, to the information processing device that has sent the initialrequest for remote access, the second-operable-object updated screendata for causing the information processing device to display thesecond-operable-object updated remote screen with the display mode forthe second operable object updated to the mode indicating that thesecond operable object has been operated; and after transmitting thescreen data for causing the information processing device to display theremote screen, when receiving, from the information processing device,remote access indicating that an operation to the second operable objectincluded in the login screen displayed on the user interface has beenreceived via the remote screen, cause the user interface to not updatethe display mode for the second operable object to the mode indicatingthat the second operable object has been operated, and even afterreceiving the initial request for remote access, neither generate nortransmit, to the information processing device that has sent the initialrequest for remote access, the second-operable-object updated screendata for causing the information processing device to display thesecond-operable-object updated remote screen with the display mode forthe second operable object updated to the mode indicating that thesecond operable object has been operated.
 14. An image forming apparatuscomprising: a communication interface; a user interface; and acontroller configured to: cause the user interface to display a displayscreen thereon; receive an initial request for remote access from aninformation processing device via the communication interface; afterreceiving the initial request for remote access, generate screen datafor causing the information processing device to display, as a remotescreen, a same screen as the display screen displayed on the userinterface, and transmit the generated screen data to the informationprocessing device that has sent the initial request for remote access;receive an operation via the user interface regardless of whether theinitial request for remote access has been received; in response toreceiving an operation to a first operable object included in thedisplay screen displayed on the user interface, cause the user interfaceto display a first-operable-object updated display screen with a displaymode for the first operable object updated to a mode indicating that thefirst operable object has been operated; when the operation to the firstoperable object included in the display screen on the user interface hasbeen received after the receipt of the initial request for remoteaccess, generate first-operable-object updated screen data for causingthe information processing device to display, as a first-operable-objectupdated remote screen, a same screen as the first-operable-objectupdated display screen displayed on the user interface, and transmit thegenerated first-operable-object updated screen data to the informationprocessing device that has sent the initial request for remote access;after transmitting the screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display the remote screen, in response toreceiving, from the information processing device that has sent theinitial request for remote access, remote access indicating that anoperation to the first operable object included in the display screendisplayed on the user interface has been received via the remote screen,cause the user interface to display the first-operable-object updateddisplay screen with the display mode for the first operable objectupdated to the mode indicating that the first operable object has beenoperated, generate the first-operable-object updated screen data forcausing the information processing device to display, as thefirst-operable-object updated remote screen, the same screen as thefirst-operable-object updated display screen displayed on the userinterface, and transmit the generated first-operable-object updatedscreen data to the information processing device; after receiving theinitial request for remote access from the information processingdevice, when receiving an operation to a second operable object forlogin operation that is included in a password entry screen displayed onthe user interface, cause the user interface to not update a displaymode for the second operable object to a mode indicating that the secondoperable object has been operated, and even after receiving the initialrequest for remote access, neither generate nor transmit, to theinformation processing device that has sent the initial request forremote access, second-operable-object updated screen data for causingthe information processing device to display a second-operable-objectupdated remote screen with the display mode for the second operableobject updated to the mode indicating that the second operable objecthas been operated; and after transmitting the screen data for causingthe information processing device to display the remote screen, whenreceiving, from the information processing device, remote accessindicating that an operation to the second operable object included inthe password entry screen displayed on the user interface has beenreceived via the remote screen, cause the user interface to not updatethe display mode for the second operable object to the mode indicatingthat the second operable object has been operated, and even afterreceiving the initial request for remote access, neither generate nortransmit, to the information processing device that has sent the initialrequest for remote access, the second-operable-object updated screendata for causing the information processing device to display thesecond-operable-object updated remote screen with the display mode forthe second operable object updated to the mode indicating that thesecond operable object has been operated.
 15. An image forming apparatuscomprising: a communication interface; a user interface; and acontroller configured to: cause the user interface to display a displayscreen thereon; receive an initial request for remote access from aninformation processing device via the communication interface; afterreceiving the initial request for remote access, generate screen datafor causing the information processing device to display, as a remotescreen, a same screen as the display screen displayed on the userinterface, and transmit the generated screen data to the informationprocessing device that has sent the initial request for remote access;receive an operation via the user interface regardless of whether theinitial request for remote access has been received; in response toreceiving an operation to a first operable object included in thedisplay screen displayed on the user interface, cause the user interfaceto display a first-operable-object updated display screen with a displaymode for the first operable object updated to a mode indicating that thefirst operable object has been operated; when the operation to the firstoperable object included in the display screen on the user interface hasbeen received after the receipt of the initial request for remoteaccess, generate first-operable-object updated screen data for causingthe information processing device to display, as a first-operable-objectupdated remote screen, a same screen as the first-operable-objectupdated display screen displayed on the user interface, and transmit thegenerated first-operable-object updated screen data to the informationprocessing device that has sent the initial request for remote access;after transmitting the screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display the remote screen, in response toreceiving, from the information processing device that has sent theinitial request for remote access, remote access indicating that anoperation to the first operable object included in the display screendisplayed on the user interface has been received via the remote screen,cause the user interface to display the first-operable-object updateddisplay screen with the display mode for the first operable objectupdated to the mode indicating that the first operable object has beenoperated, generate the first-operable-object updated screen data forcausing the information processing device to display, as thefirst-operable-object updated remote screen, the same screen as thefirst-operable-object updated display screen displayed on the userinterface, and transmit the generated first-operable-object updatedscreen data to the information processing device; after receiving theinitial request for remote access from the information processingdevice, when receiving an operation to a second operable object forpassword entry that is included in a password entry screen displayed onthe user interface, cause the user interface to not update a displaymode for the second operable object for password entry to a modeindicating that the second operable object for password entry has beenoperated, and even after receiving the initial request for remoteaccess, neither generate nor transmit, to the information processingdevice that has sent the initial request for remote access,second-operable-object updated screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display a second-operable-object updated remotescreen with the display mode for the second operable object for passwordentry updated to the mode indicating that the second operable object forpassword entry has been operated; and after transmitting the screen datafor causing the information processing device to display the remotescreen, when receiving, from the information processing device, remoteaccess indicating that an operation to the second operable object forpassword entry included in the password entry screen displayed on theuser interface has been received via the remote screen, cause the userinterface to not update the display mode for the second operable objectfor password entry to the mode indicating that the second operableobject for password entry has been operated, and even after receivingthe initial request for remote access, neither generate nor transmit, tothe information processing device that has sent the initial request forremote access, the second-operable-object updated screen data forcausing the information processing device to display thesecond-operable-object updated remote screen with the display mode forthe second operable object for password entry updated to the modeindicating that the second operable object for password entry has beenoperated.
 16. An image forming apparatus comprising: a communicationinterface; a user interface; and a controller configured to: cause theuser interface to display a display screen thereon; receive an initialrequest for remote access from an information processing device via thecommunication interface; after receiving the initial request for remoteaccess, generate screen data for causing the information processingdevice to display, as a remote screen, a same screen as the displayscreen displayed on the user interface, and transmit the generatedscreen data to the information processing device that has sent theinitial request for remote access; receive an operation via the userinterface regardless of whether the initial request for remote accesshas been received; in response to receiving an operation to a firstoperable object included in the display screen displayed on the userinterface, cause the user interface to display a first-operable-objectupdated display screen with a display mode for the first operable objectupdated to a mode indicating that the first operable object has beenoperated; when the operation to the first operable object included inthe display screen on the user interface has been received after thereceipt of the initial request for remote access, generatefirst-operable-object updated screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display, as a first-operable-object updated remotescreen, a same screen as the first-operable-object updated displayscreen displayed on the user interface, and transmit the generatedfirst-operable-object updated screen data to the information processingdevice that has sent the initial request for remote access; aftertransmitting the screen data for causing the information processingdevice to display the remote screen, in response to receiving, from theinformation processing device that has sent the initial request forremote access, remote access indicating that an operation to the firstoperable object included in the display screen displayed on the userinterface has been received via the remote screen, cause the userinterface to display the first-operable-object updated display screenwith the display mode for the first operable object updated to the modeindicating that the first operable object has been operated, generatethe first-operable-object updated screen data for causing theinformation processing device to display, as the first-operable-objectupdated remote screen, the same screen as the first-operable-objectupdated display screen displayed on the user interface, and transmit thegenerated first-operable-object updated screen data to the informationprocessing device; after receiving the initial request for remote accessfrom the information processing device, when receiving an operation to asecond operable object that is a key of a software keyboard included ina software keyboard input screen displayed on the user interface, causethe user interface to not update a display mode for the second operableobject of the software keyboard to a mode indicating that the secondoperable object of the software keyboard has been operated, and evenafter receiving the initial request for remote access, neither generatenor transmit, to the information processing device that has sent theinitial request for remote access, second-operable-object updated screendata for causing the information processing device to display asecond-operable-object updated remote screen with the display mode forthe second operable object of the software keyboard updated to the modeindicating that the second operable object of the software keyboard hasbeen operated; and after transmitting the screen data for causing theinformation processing device to display the remote screen, whenreceiving, from the information processing device, remote accessindicating that an operation to the second operable object that is thekey of the software keyboard included in the software keyboard inputscreen displayed on the user interface has been received via the remotescreen, cause the user interface to not update the display mode for thesecond operable object of the software keyboard to the mode indicatingthat the second operable object of the software keyboard has beenoperated, and even after receiving the initial request for remoteaccess, neither generate nor transmit, to the information processingdevice that has sent the initial request for remote access, thesecond-operable-object updated screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display the second-operable-object updated remotescreen with the display mode for the second operable object of thesoftware keyboard updated to the mode indicating that the secondoperable object of the software keyboard has been operated.
 17. An imageforming apparatus comprising: a communication interface; a userinterface; and a controller configured to: cause the user interface todisplay a display screen thereon; receive an initial request for remoteaccess from an information processing device via the communicationinterface; after receiving the initial request for remote access,generate screen data for causing the information processing device todisplay, as a remote screen, a same screen as the display screendisplayed on the user interface, and transmit the generated screen datato the information processing device that has sent the initial requestfor remote access; receive an operation via the user interfaceregardless of whether the initial request for remote access has beenreceived; in response to receiving an operation to a first operableobject included in the display screen displayed on the user interface,cause the user interface to display a first-operable-object updateddisplay screen with a display mode for the first operable object updatedto a mode indicating that the first operable object has been operated;when the operation to the first operable object included in the displayscreen on the user interface has been received after the receipt of theinitial request for remote access, generate first-operable-objectupdated screen data for causing the information processing device todisplay, as a first-operable-object updated remote screen, a same screenas the first-operable-object updated display screen displayed on theuser interface, and transmit the generated first-operable-object updatedscreen data to the information processing device that has sent theinitial request for remote access; after transmitting the screen datafor causing the information processing device to display the remotescreen, in response to receiving, from the information processing devicethat has sent the initial request for remote access, remote accessindicating that an operation to the first operable object included inthe display screen displayed on the user interface has been received viathe remote screen, cause the user interface to display thefirst-operable-object updated display screen with the display mode forthe first operable object updated to the mode indicating that the firstoperable object has been operated, generate the first-operable-objectupdated screen data for causing the information processing device todisplay, as the first-operable-object updated remote screen, the samescreen as the first-operable-object updated display screen displayed onthe user interface, and transmit the generated first-operable-objectupdated screen data to the information processing device; afterreceiving the initial request for remote access from the informationprocessing device, when receiving an operation to a second operableobject that is a numeric key of a numeric keypad included in a numerickeypad input screen displayed on the user interface, cause the userinterface to not update a display mode for the second operable object ofthe numeric keypad to a mode indicating that the second operable objectof the numeric keypad has been operated, and even after receiving theinitial request for remote access, neither generate nor transmit, to theinformation processing device that has sent the initial request forremote access, second-operable-object updated screen data for causingthe information processing device to display a second-operable-objectupdated remote screen with the display mode for the second operableobject of the numeric keypad updated to the mode indicating that thesecond operable object of the numeric keypad has been operated; andafter transmitting the screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display the remote screen, when receiving, from theinformation processing device, remote access indicating that anoperation to the second operable object that is the numeric key of thenumeric keypad included in the numeric keypad input screen displayed onthe user interface has been received via the remote screen, cause theuser interface to not update the display mode for the second operableobject of the numeric keypad to the mode indicating that the secondoperable object of the numeric keypad has been operated, and even afterreceiving the initial request for remote access, neither generate nortransmit, to the information processing device that has sent the initialrequest for remote access, the second-operable-object updated screendata for causing the information processing device to display thesecond-operable-object updated remote screen with the display mode forthe second operable object of the numeric keypad updated to the modeindicating that the second operable object of the numeric keypad hasbeen operated.
 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17,wherein the controller is further configured to: in response toreceiving remote access from the information processing device that hassent the initial request for remote access, determine whether to performdisplay processing for the display screen on the user interface inaccordance with the remote access or to impose a display restriction onthe display screen on the user interface, based on whether the receivedremote access includes an instruction to display a particular screen asthe display screen on the user interface; when the received remoteaccess does not include an instruction to display the particular screenas the display screen on the user interface, perform the displayprocessing for the display screen in accordance with the remote access,thereby causing the user interface to display the display screen in anunrestricted manner, generate screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display a same screen as the display screen beingdisplayed on the user interface in the unrestricted manner, and transmitthe generated screen data to the information processing device, whereinwhen the operation has been received via the user interface after thereceipt of the initial request for remote access, the controllergenerates the screen data for causing the information processing deviceto display the same screen as the display screen updated according tothe received operation in the unrestricted manner and transmits thegenerated screen data to the information processing device; and when thereceived remote access includes an instruction to display the particularscreen as the display screen on the user interface, impose the displayrestriction on the display screen, thereby causing the user interface todisplay the display screen in a restricted manner, generate screen datafor causing the information processing device to display the same screenas the display screen being displayed on the user interface in therestricted manner, and transmit the generated screen data to theinformation processing device, wherein when the operation has beenreceived via the user interface after the receipt of the initial requestfor remote access, the controller generates the screen data for causingthe information processing device to display the same screen as thedisplay screen updated according to the received operation in therestricted manner, and transmits the generated screen data to theinformation processing device.
 19. The image forming apparatus accordingto claim 18, wherein a screen on the user interface immediately beforethe image forming apparatus makes a transition to a maintenance mode anda screen on the user interface after the transition are defined as theparticular screen.
 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim18, wherein the numeric keypad input screen on the user interfaceimmediately before an administrator logs in to the image formingapparatus from the information processing device and a screen on theuser interface after the login are defined as the particular screen. 21.The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein thecontroller is further configured to, when the remote access indicates anobject operation to remotely operate an operable object on theparticular screen by operating a corresponding object on a same screenas the particular screen, impose the display restriction to leaveunchanged a display mode for the remotely-operated object.
 22. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the object operation isfor entering a password.
 23. The image forming apparatus according toclaim 21, wherein the object operation is performed by operating a focusmode processing key.
 24. The image forming apparatus according to claim21, wherein the controller is further configured to select one of: afirst mode to change the display mode for the object corresponding tothe operated object; and a second mode to not change the display modefor the object corresponding to the operated object.
 25. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the informationprocessing device includes a user interface configured to display theoperated object on the same screen as the display screen.
 26. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the controller isfurther configured to, when the particular screen is being displayed asthe display screen on the user interface, not accept a user operationvia the user interface.
 27. The image forming apparatus according toclaim 18, wherein the controller is further configured to impose thedisplay restriction to display no operable objects on the displayscreen.
 28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, whereinthe user interface comprises a backlight, and is configured to displaythe display screen using the backlight, and wherein the controller isfurther configured to impose the display restriction to turn off thebacklight.
 29. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17,wherein the controller comprises: a processor; and a non-transitorycomputer readable medium storing computer-readable instructionsconfigured to, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to:cause the user interface to display the display screen thereon; receivethe initial request for remote access from the information processingdevice via the communication interface; after receiving the initialrequest for remote access, generate the screen data for causing theinformation processing device to display, as the remote screen, the samescreen as the display screen displayed on the user interface, andtransmit the generated screen data to the information processing devicethat has sent the initial request for remote access; receive anoperation via the user interface regardless of whether the initialrequest for remote access has been received; in response to receiving anoperation to the first operable object included in the display screendisplayed on the user interface, cause the user interface to display thefirst-operable-object updated display screen with the display mode forthe first operable object updated to the mode indicating that the firstoperable object has been operated; when the operation to the firstoperable object included in the display screen on the user interface hasbeen received after the receipt of the initial request for remoteaccess, generate the first-operable-object updated screen data forcausing the information processing device to display, as thefirst-operable-object updated remote screen, the same screen as thefirst-operable-object updated display screen displayed on the userinterface, and transmit the generated first-operable-object updatedscreen data to the information processing device that has sent theinitial request for remote access; after transmitting the screen datafor causing the information processing device to display the remotescreen, in response to receiving, from the information processing devicethat has sent the initial request for remote access, remote accessindicating that an operation to the first operable object included inthe display screen displayed on the user interface has been received viathe remote screen, cause the user interface to display thefirst-operable-object updated display screen with the display mode forthe first operable object updated to the mode indicating that the firstoperable object has been operated, generate the first-operable-objectupdated screen data for causing the information processing device todisplay, as the first-operable-object updated remote screen, the samescreen as the first-operable-object updated display screen displayed onthe user interface, and transmit the generated first-operable-objectupdated screen data to the information processing device; afterreceiving the initial request for remote access from the informationprocessing device, when receiving an operation to the second operableobject that is the numeric key of the numeric keypad included in thenumeric keypad input screen displayed on the user interface, cause theuser interface to not update the display mode for the second operableobject of the numeric keypad to the mode indicating that the secondoperable object of the numeric keypad has been operated, and even afterreceiving the initial request for remote access, neither generate nortransmit, to the information processing device that has sent the initialrequest for remote access, the second-operable-object updated screendata for causing the information processing device to display thesecond-operable-object updated remote screen with the display mode forthe second operable object of the numeric keypad updated to the modeindicating that the second operable object of the numeric keypad hasbeen operated; and after transmitting the screen data for causing theinformation processing device to display the remote screen, whenreceiving, from the information processing device, remote accessindicating that an operation to the second operable object that is thenumeric key of the numeric keypad included in the numeric keypad inputscreen displayed on the user interface has been received via the remotescreen, cause the user interface to not update the display mode for thesecond operable object of the numeric keypad to the mode indicating thatthe second operable object of the numeric keypad has been operated, andeven after receiving the initial request for remote access, neithergenerate nor transmit, to the information processing device that hassent the initial request for remote access, the second-operable-objectupdated screen data for causing the information processing device todisplay the second-operable-object updated remote screen with thedisplay mode for the second operable object of the numeric keypadupdated to the mode indicating that the second operable object of thenumeric keypad has been operated.
 30. An image forming apparatuscomprising: a communication interface; a user interface; and acontroller configured to: cause the user interface to display a displayscreen thereon; receive an initial request for remote access from aninformation processing device via the communication interface; afterreceiving the initial request for remote access, generate screen datafor causing the information processing device to display, as a remotescreen, a same screen as the display screen displayed on the userinterface, and transmit the generated screen data to the informationprocessing device that has sent the initial request for remote access;receive an operation via the user interface regardless of whether theinitial request for remote access has been received; in response toreceiving an operation to a first operable object included in thedisplay screen displayed on the user interface, cause the user interfaceto display a first-operable-object updated display screen with a displaymode for the first operable object updated to a mode indicating that thefirst operable object has been operated; when the operation to the firstoperable object included in the display screen on the user interface hasbeen received after the receipt of the initial request for remoteaccess, generate first-operable-object updated screen data for causingthe information processing device to display, as a first-operable-objectupdated remote screen, a same screen as the first-operable-objectupdated display screen displayed on the user interface, and transmit thegenerated first-operable-object updated screen data to the informationprocessing device that has sent the initial request for remote access;after transmitting the screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display the remote screen, in response toreceiving, from the information processing device that has sent theinitial request for remote access, remote access indicating that anoperation to the first operable object included in the display screendisplayed on the user interface has been received via the remote screen,cause the user interface to display the first-operable-object updateddisplay screen with the display mode for the first operable objectupdated to the mode indicating that the first operable object has beenoperated, generate the first-operable-object updated screen data forcausing the information processing device to display, as thefirst-operable-object updated remote screen, the same screen as thefirst-operable-object updated display screen displayed on the userinterface, and transmit the generated first-operable-object updatedscreen data to the information processing device; after receiving theinitial request for remote access from the information processingdevice, when receiving an operation to a second operable object formaintenance operation that is included in a maintenance operation screendisplayed on the user interface, cause the user interface to not updatea display mode for the second operable object for maintenance operationto a mode indicating that the second operable object for maintenanceoperation has been operated, and even after receiving the initialrequest for remote access, neither generate nor transmit, to theinformation processing device that has sent the initial request forremote access, second-operable-object updated screen data for causingthe information processing device to display a second-operable-objectupdated remote screen with the display mode for the second operableobject for maintenance operation updated to the mode indicating that thesecond operable object for maintenance operation has been operated; andafter transmitting the screen data for causing the informationprocessing device to display the remote screen, when receiving, from theinformation processing device, remote access indicating that anoperation to the second operable object for maintenance operation thatis included in the maintenance operation screen displayed on the userinterface has been received via the remote screen, cause the userinterface to not update the display mode for the second operable objectfor maintenance operation to the mode indicating that the secondoperable object for maintenance operation has been operated, and evenafter receiving the initial request for remote access, neither generatenor transmit, to the information processing device that has sent theinitial request for remote access, the second-operable-object updatedscreen data for causing the information processing device to display thesecond-operable-object updated remote screen with the display mode forthe second operable object for maintenance operation updated to the modeindicating that the second operable object for maintenance operation hasbeen operated.